Oil inches higher on summer demand outlook
![](https://m.economictimes.com/thumb/height-450,width-600,imgsize-233806,msid-111390975/oil-inches-higher-on-summer-demand-outlook.jpg)
Synopsis
Oil prices rose on supply deficit forecasts and OPEC+ cuts amid global economic challenges. Traders are cautious about rising non-OPEC+ output. Monitoring includes China's oil demand, the Atlantic hurricane season, and the impact of Hurricane Beryl.
Both contracts gained around 6% in June, with Brent has settling above $85 a barrel in the past two weeks, after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, a group known as OPEC+, extended most of its deep oil output cuts well into 2025.
That led analysts to forecast supply deficits in the third quarter as transportation and air-conditioning demand during summer draw down fuel stockpiles.
Hopes of an interest rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve and rising geopolitical concerns in Europe and between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah have also kept a floor under prices, IG analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.
WTI's recent rally may extend towards $85 a barrel if prices remain above the 200-day moving average at $79.52, he said.
In the U.S., oil production and demand rose to a four-month high in April, according to the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Petroleum Supply Monthly report published on Friday.
Stocks Recommendations
Traders are watching out for the impact from hurricanes on oil and gas production and consumption in the Americas.
The Atlantic hurricane season started with Hurricane Beryl on Sunday. Beryl, the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record, headed toward the Caribbean's Windward Islands where it is expected to bring life-threatening winds and flash flooding on Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
In China, the latest manufacturing data did not bode well for oil demand in the world's no.2 consumer and top crude importer.
China's manufacturing activity fell for a second month in June while services activity slipped to a five-month low, an official survey showed on Sunday, keeping alive calls for further stimulus as the economy struggles to get back on its feet.
(You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)